Taif

Wed 25/6/25

We took an optional tour with Rayhar to Taif for SAR 190 per person, which includes bus transportation from Makkah, lunch, and cable car ticket. Taif is located about 90 km from Makkah. We departed from our Hotel Olayan Ajyad in Makkah at 6.30am and arrived Taif at around 9am at the Shubra Palace, but the palace was closed so we viewed it only from the outside. 

It was said that Taif climate would be cooler than Makkah, but it was hot and sunny at 32C that day. We went to the Taif cable car first as the weather was clear that morning. The view of the Taif mountain pass from the cable car fascinated me along the 20 minute or so ride from the highest point Jabal al Hada to Al Kar tourist village. 

Taif mountain pass

Next, we went to the fruit market and bought a box of green fig for 30 SAR and dark fig for 15 SAR. Both types were sweet and juicy. We also bought a box of red cherries for 15 SAR. 

fresh figs

As part of the tour, we were brought to a rose factory (didn't buy anything here) and then stopped for lunch of chicken mandy rice with kunafa for dessert at Al Romansiah restaurant. 

kunafa

chicken mandy rice

After lunch we were brought to the Al Sharif museum, showcasing antiquities from the good 'ol days.

Al Sharif museum

We then went to the Abdullah Ibn Abbas masjid to pray and listen to some history of Abdullah and the place. Partner In Crime also bought 0.5kg of Yemeni honey for 75 SAR at a shop nearby.

Yemeni honey

Abdullah Ibn Abbas masjid

We stopped at Qarnul Manazil for prayers and miqat for umrah, before departing back to Makkah. We arrived back at Makkah at around 10pm.

Qarnul Manazil masjid